The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

coated the inside of my mouth. Perry was curious…and still
amused. “Should I call you Princess or Queen?”
No one answered for me. “You may call me Penellaphe,”
I decided.
Perry’s smile increased, and the hint of fangs became
visible. “Well, Penellaphe, may I help you down?”
I nodded. Raul steadied Storm as Perry helped me
down. “Thank you,” I said.
“Pleasure is all mine.” He glanced at Casteel as he held
my hands. “Leave it to you to show up after years of
absence with a pretty wife at your side.”
Casteel dismounted with annoying ease. “I do love to
make an entrance.” He came around my back, slipping my
hands free from Perry’s.
Perry glanced at Kieran. “Since this fool is with you,
does that mean Delano has returned? I haven’t seen him.”
“He has.” Casteel threaded his fingers through mine.
“He should be arriving shortly.”
Perry’s smile made such a quick return that I doubted he
was often not smiling, but the smoky taste of attraction
accompanied the curve of his lips now.
“Any idea where my parents are?” Casteel asked.
Perry nodded toward the building with the kneeling,
stone soldiers encircling the cupola.
“I’ll catch up with you later,” Casteel told Perry before
speaking to Raul. “You’re going to take care of the horses for
me?”
“Isn’t that my job?” Raul retorted, and a startled laugh
left me, earning a gentle hand squeeze from Casteel. “At
least it was the last time I checked. If I’ve been fired, no one
has decided to let me know.”
“As if we would ever think of doing such a thing,”
Casteel replied, grinning.
“As if you spend much time thinking about anything,”
Raul snapped back.